“Why don’t we climb Snowdon”, said my husband in an off handed comment.
I don’t think for one second that he thought I would actually say ‘yes’. But I thought it was a good idea. Also, it has some symbolism to it. My family are from Wales, and my grandfather worked in the mines, so it made sense to take the Miners Track.
Pre-pandemic I was a long-distance swimmer and the husband a long-distance cyclist, but like many during this pandemic our fitness has suffered a bit. So, we decided not to take the hardest route, given that it had been a while since either of us properly hiked.
After dropping off the small human with their grandmother who they do not see that often, we embarked on our journey to north Wales from Sussex.
We didn’t take our small human as we did not think it was for them, though when we were coming back down the mountain, we saw an amazing woman carrying a little one on her back! Massive points to her, she must have super strength and endurance.
It had been a while, and I knew I was due one, but I received the migraine from hell on the journey there, and nearly threw up in the car, which wouldn’t have been ideal considering it had just received its monthly detail.
I chose a hotel near the mountain which had a direct bus route to the start of the Miners track and good amenities.
Given the current circumstances and the ‘staycation’ trend, we were limited regarding the choice of hotel but we did not complain with what we got, it was very comfortable. Though, check out the phone in the room. How retro!
We got to the hotel on the Saturday and decided to start the trek on Sunday morning first thing.
The hotel was equipped for trekkers and so having an early breakfast wasn’t a problem (unlike my first 10k swim years ago, but that is another story). We then walked down the road and waited by the bus stop.
The 07:45am bus arrived and off we went – and points to the driver for navigating those narrow roads.
We got to the start of the Miners Track 20 minutes after, and as soon as we were out of the bus, we were away.
Given that we knew we would not have access to a toilet, and considering the work-related stress endued problems I have been experiencing with my abdominal region for the last few years, I was very concerned, but chose to think of it as mind over matter – which would hopefully get me through to the end.
I love aviation!
We were only 10 minutes into the walk when we heard the distinct sounds of helicopter motor blades. When travelling to the hotel the day before, we had seen the helicopter land at the base of the mountain, and knew that it had been making daily trips around the mountain rescuing people who had unfortunately injured themselves.
We came to a small lake; it was an overcast and eery atmosphere which made the sound of the helicopter all the more exciting. A few minutes before, a 4×4 vehicle had gone past and stopped by the lake, where the crew were now waiting, then from over the mountain behind us came this great big bird.
And it was a sight.
It landed right in front of us and the husband got a bird’s eye view (pun intended) of the copter as it landed.
Being qualified drone pilots (and nearly marrying a pilot several years ago, but I won’t go into that topic here), we have been through aviation theory and have a great appreciation for these aircrafts. To the extent that as the aircraft when fully loaded took off again, everyone could probably hear me shout ‘I love aviation.’
We saw them again a few hours later where they had to rescue someone from up the mountain, and again the rescue was amazing to watch, probably not for the poor fellow who they were saving, but from what we heard it was a bone breakage or fracture. At least it wasn’t a heart related problem but we all said it would be a painful crawl back down the mountain without the rescue team there.
This also gave us an appreciation that it doesn’t matter how fit you are, anyone can go over on their ankle.
The helicopter was able to identify the site by a person on the ground light a flare, and I remember saying out loud to my husband; ‘should we have brough flares?’
I then realised that knowing my luck I would be halfway up the mountain, accidentally set one off and then all of our snacks would be gone.
This is not a mountain trek, but a mountain climb, and why can I smell weed?
Before we saw the helicopter for the second time, our gravel paths had turned to massive rock climbs where the inclines were getting steeper and steeper the higher we went. The rocks were uneven and as we went up, the drop to the left of us was also getting steeper.
We knew that we needed to get a move on as the sun was also chasing us, and given that I am not great with heat (one of my sensory processing issues), I did not want to be around when that sun was fully up. My husband also has fair skin, and has had his own issues with the sun over the years.
There are two lakes you need to pass on the Miner’s Track, we passed both about four hours in. We were prepared to stop when we could to take it all in, rather than rush to the destination, and each turn presented us with a more scenic route. It was incredible to witness.
The Miner’s Track is rated medium difficulty and out of the six routes it was in the middle. The more difficult the route the shorter it was, but it didn’t feel like that when climbing it.
I have been an endurance swimmer for years, and I was surprised by how many times I needed to stop when we were climbing. As the mountain had seen substantially more visits in the last year, the paths up the mountain had worn away, to the point, we had to stand and look before proceeding on at some points to work out the route.
We stopped a few times to put the drone up, obviously taking into consideration other drone users, and the rescue team that were still flying around.
We took about 1.5 litres of water with us, which was nowhere near enough and we ran out when we got to the top of the mountain so we were trying to be frugal where we could, however as the climb continued, the mountain got worse and we knew we were in that situation of having to keep going. By that point it was quicker to go up than go back down, and I was slowly beginning to lose tolerance.
The sun was also rising, and just as we reached another steep incline, I smelt weed, and mouth went before brain and I said “Who is smoking weed?”, to which there were a few eye-shuffling expressions behind us. Oops.
Don’t worry well take the train back
Snowdon has its own railway. I knew that the summit café (which we never did find) was closed, but I thought the train was still in operation and we could take it back down. I was aching more than I thought possible, the inclines kept coming and the sun was hot on our backs as we reached the top.
Every time we looked up, it looked like we were near the top but it was like someone was pushing it away the more we climbed.
Then I wondered if the train was something we needed to book. So, with my few bars of signal on my phone, I looked it up.
Guess what? No train.
NOOOOO!
Well, that is not strictly true. The train was only going up and down the mountain, but its stop was 75% up the mountain, it was only stopping for 30 minutes then going back down again. The remaining 25% of the mountain could not be climbed in 30 minutes.
If you had booked tickets, which could only be done online, then it was a return trip, there was no one way option.
I had resided myself to the option of taking the train back down by the time we reached the top, I didn’t care that we had only gone up, I was getting the point where I was boiling hot and I wanted to go back to the hotel.
We pressed on after another drone break, and then reached the steepest point yet. But the good news is we were finally near the top.
The Halfway cafe
After we reached the top, had a snack, saw a sheep invade someone’s picnic which of course resulted in everyone taking pictures of it….
Only because it felt like it was purposely parading past us.
…I took a few pictures of the husband standing on the edge of the mountain because I had to, we then decided to take the Llabnis route back down, which was the easiest.
Signage is not great on the mountain so to take the easier route back down if you didn’t come up that way, just follow the train track, it is clear where to go from there.
We spoke to a few people who we overheard talking saying that even the easy route wasn’t easy, so they also pointed us in the right direction and told us about a café half way down.
Excellent, more refreshments, which considering we had been without water for an hour or so by that point.
The Halfway café was a welcome sight, but also had a sign saying ‘no toilets’ which I was kind of expecting, but wanted to live in hope as well.
Lucozade Sport was on the menu, which is one of the well-known aids when you have taken part in endurance events. Though I am still a little baffled as to why we weren’t carrying more energy supplements up the mountain, may be because of the toilet issue.
We were refreshed (kind of) and we carried on down.
The easy route actually took us back to the hotel door as the mountain gate led down to a small village opposite, but before you get to the gate you have yet more steep hills to go down, which by that time our feet were hurting and our legs were aching so we actually walked backwards downhill for a bit just to save our toes.
The hotel was a very welcomed sight, and we got back to the hotel, had baths for the achy muscles and then went straight to the bar. Of course.
Planning on climbing Snowdon?
My tips for Snowdon are:
- Be prepared and do lots of research beforehand.
- Footwear is essential – bear in mind on the way down it is steep and your will hurt yours toes so spend more money on the footwear. Get some good hiking boots and spend the extra money on the footwear. It is worth it; this is not a trek for trainers.
- Tell someone where you are going
- Take snacks and lots and lots of water. 3 litres for 2 people minimum, even some Lucuzade sport goes down well.
- Be prepared to stop for the rescue team, and if they land near you, shade your eyes.
- Sun tan lotion!
- After trek food. Make sure you book a table somewhere, even if it is at the hotel, you don’t want to be without food when the muscle spasms kick in.
- Have a bath when you get back if possible. It helps again with the muscle spasms.
Final thought
My discovery was that my tolerance and excitement for endurance challenges has gone south in the last 18 months. Perhaps it is the lack of exercise, but I was not bothered about completing this one, nor am I rushing to get back into 10k swims again.
It is interesting how you can change in 18 months and I am happy that I have flexibility on my birthday, and was not stuck in lockdown that many poor individuals were in.
After the weekend away, we came back to pick up these fuzzies.
I am happy with our achievement, it proves that after a pandemic, we can still do these things and hopefully as the world opens up (providing people behave themselves), we can do this more.
So, what words of wisdom can I pass on to those who are about to begin their lives (life begins at 40 after all)?
Indifference is me nowadays discussing my automatic bin instead of the latest indie band playing in London, but it is not so bad.
I don’t take things for granted, I am genuinely thankful for what I have every day, I have achieved more than I ever thought possible, I have a happy marriage and a fantastic child. We also now have two pets who are also great characters, so I had no problems or regrets turning 40.
I believe most things happen for a reason and I see signs in the routes I take. I also had this strange sensation that I wouldn’t live past my late 30s, but if I am on borrowed time so be it.
But life is not really any different, I still play computer games, wear Star Trek t-shirts, fly drones, study and enjoy a worthwhile career, though I would have liked my Dr title by now, but I don’t see the point in gaining that for another few years yet, perhaps in the next decade when I can use it to be a professor.
I don’t think I am committed to sharing words of wisdom given that I am of a certain age now, but here are a few:
Take risks, even if they are deemed small ones, as they may pay off big.
Honey is a good alternative to sugar.
Keep learning, knowledge is power, but being a ‘know-it-all’ is just annoying.
Move on from comments on social media, even if it burns to the core, just move on. There are people who are misinformed out there, and if they are not willing to learn the truth then chances are they are deliberately being awkward, don’t waste your time on them.
Finding an activity you like, means you may not need to do exercise which can become a chore.
Laughter or enjoyment are the best type of medicine.
Be safe in your skin, and do what you can to get there. Talk to people, go off on a journey by yourself, whatever it takes. I learn new things every day about my Asperger’s, and that is a lifelong thing and the knowledge keeps me safe in my skin.
Don’t beat yourself up over small things (like social media comments), you are only human.
Try the thing that you have been putting off for ages. If you don’t enjoy it, either stop it or don’t do it again. So long as you try, no one can comment against you.
Children and pets want your time, not objects. Get on the floor and play with them, it is more rewarding than scrolling through your phone – which we are all guilty of doing. Though I won’t lie, sometimes passing over your phone to your child, so you can get 5 minutes peace, is also rewarding.
Enjoy the little things. Good coffee, good tea, good beer things like that.
Life.. Joy is what you make it. Find yours rather than finding someone elses.
Here’s to the next 40!
All pictures included in this article were taken and are owned by K J Foxhall
